Milwaukee, WI—A 45-year-old man was killed when he plummeted down an elevator shaft head first. The fatal construction accident occurred on Monday, January 11, 2010 at a Jackson Square apartment project at 159 N. Jackson Street in Milwaukee’s Third Ward around 10:37, as reported by The Daily Reporter.

The Milwaukee Fire Department reported that the construction worker was clearing snow from the top of an elevator shaft above the roof the apartment building, when he suddenly fell 30-feet to his death. The worker reportedly fell head first down the shaft and died instantly. The unidentified worker was pronounced dead at the scene by responding rescue teams. It is unknown if the worker was wearing a safety harness at the time of the accident or how he fell down the shaft. Investigators are currently trying to determine if the winter weather was a factor. Police officials and the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) http://www.osha.gov/ are investigating the fatal construction accident. It does not appear to be a criminal matter at this point.

According to the Milwaukee building permit for the apartment project, Jackson Square LLC, Milwaukee, reportedly owns the $5.6 million multifamily Jackson Square housing project, which will feature 81 housing units.